Valpo opened a 10-point lead with 3:22 left in the first after Dority made a pair of free throws and a layup on the next possession following an offensive rebound. The Crusaders held a 34-26 lead at the break.

Milwaukee whittled their deficit to two, at 45-43, on Malcolm Moore's trey with 12:52 left. Valpo responded, scoring the next eight points, and the Crusaders hit eight straight free throws inside 2:11 as Milwaukee resorted to fouling late in the game.